A YEARS-LONG campaign to officially open a lane for public use in Staincross finally ended last week after the council cleared the land.

Coun Steve Hunt, who represents the Darton East ward, started the campaign for Spring Lane to open in 2022.

The lane - which runs from Warren Lane down to the lay-by on the A61 Wakefield Road - had already been used by residents but was not on the council’s definitive map of Public Rights of Way.

A record is kept by the council of the status of public highways.

For the public to know the status of a particular right of way, the council has the task of recording public rights of ways on a ‘definitive map’.

These maps are a legal record and the council has to ensure these areas do not become overgrown.

It resulted in Coun Hunt’s years-long campaign - backed by 20 residents - to have it added.

And it has now been confirmed the lane is finally open for public use.

Coun Hunt said: “It has taken a long time to get to this point.

“In 2022, I submitted an application for Spring Lane to be added to the council’s definitive map of Public Right of Ways.

“Twenty residents supported this application by providing evidence of its past use by the public.

“There then followed a lengthy legal process.

“In 2024 the legal order was made which added Spring Lane as a public footpath on the council’s definitive map.

“Since then, I has been in regular contact with the council to understand when the lane, which had become overgrown and impassable, would be brought back into use.

“It took many months to get the path cleared due to access issues and the need for specialist equipment.

“Finally, late last year the full length of the lane was cleared.”

More work is set to be done to ensure the area is satisfactory for public use.

But Coun Hunt has since been to the area and said it’s a big win for the people of his ward.

He added: “It’s a lovely peaceful lane and we hope you enjoy using it.

“The path is uneven in places so the Public Rights of Way team are going to try and get a tractor in to level it out then they will install the signage at both ends and barrier/block at the Wakefield Road end to prevent fly tipping/dumping.

“Thanks to the residents who supported this campaign and for the Public Rights of Way team for their work in getting Spring Lane cleared.

“I am delighted that we have been able to bring this peaceful country path back into use.

“Residents are already adding Spring Lane to their walking routes and are giving me great feedback about it.”